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bcummin

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Posts posted by bcummin

    4 Ladies, 1 Cabin?

    in Holland America Line

    Posted

    There are quad cabins, but I wouldn't want to be in one with four adults. One would have to sleep on a sofa and one would have to climb into an upper bunk! Not to mention bathroom crowding ...

     

    Four lady friends of ours did that two years ago, to afford their cruise to Alaska. They are VERY good friends and organized, so for them it worked. They loved it !

     

    Barbara

    Looking for a guided tour in Manilla

    in Asia

    Posted

    We visited Manila in March. Our tour with TouristDriverManila was wonderful. We did have to pay some money to them before we arrived, but I do think you could trust these people to make you happy. We enjoyed visiting Tagaytay, Intramuros, etc, etc, in spite of the traffic. Not everyone appreciated the long drive to Tagaytay.

    https://www.touristdrivermanila.com/

    Barbara

     

    Our group paid $50 apiece for our day-long tour, including a nice lunch overlooking the lake at Tagaytay.

    It was a steamy hot day.

    Barbara

    Okinawa taxis

    in Asia

    Posted

    Our ship docked at Naha, Okinawa in March and in April. We used taxis on two different days. Tourist Information inside the cruise terminal has charts to predict taxi fares. There was a short taxi line outside the cruise terminal. Very efficient.

     

    Barbara

    Bali Elephant Encounter

    in Asia

    Posted

    In 2007 our travel agent took us on a shore excursion to Elephant Safari Park in Bali. We loved it. Got to ride on an elephant, watched them bathing in a large pool, and lunch was delicious. We did not feed elephants, but riding one was certainly up front and personal along with the young man who let her eat along the way.

    Barbara

    Shimizu port - Mt Fuji and other local attractions

    in Asia

    Posted

    Magnificent blog !

    Shimizu is a nice port. We docked there in March and in April on ms Volendam. The first time we could see Mt. Fuji from the sea, from the port, and from shore. The second time it was overcast, and she was hiding.

    We took a Holland America tour the first time.

    On our second visit I walked around the port area. There was a free shuttle (block or two away) downtown, probably to the train or bus station. Shopping was available near the ferris wheel (longer walk), but I enjoyed the dockside shopping stalls the most. Especially the lady selling kimonos, obis, etc, etc. Walk to the corner building at the end, and they were dressing passengers in kimonos. We felt so welcome, and the local people were really glad to have us there.

    Barbara

    What changes could make the Maasdam HAL's new "Elegant Explorer"

    in Holland America Line

    Posted

    Our Elegant Explorer is one of a kind. I feel sad that not all who sailed her were able to feel the magic.

     

    The Maasdam already has her own fan club. And she is poised to be the "Amazing Adventurer." I would not welcome changes that would double the passenger fare. She has her own unique potential.

     

    Possibly the success of the coming "In Depth" cruises will determine the possibility of another future smaller HAL ship ?

     

    Barbara

    Can we expect to disembark at Tianjin by 8:00 or 8:30 a.m.?

    in Asia

    Posted

    "La Sirena Y El Tiburon

    Cool Cruiser #19 Ontario, Canada 119 Posts Joined Jul 2006 Posted Yesterday, 02:42 PM

    Originally posted by Tampa Girl Most helpful. Thank you very much. It does appear that we will have to be driven by the tour guide to Tianjin Station (1 hr); then 40 minutes to Beijing South- result at least 2 hours to get to Beijing. In contrast, a vehicle-driven tour is going to take, so I am told, 2-1/2 to 3 hrs. I wonder - is the time saved worth the train? I'm leaning in that direction.

    Hi, would you be kind enough to give me the name of the tour guide. We are going at the end of October with Celebrity. Thanks"

    China Highlights made us very happy touring from the port of Tianjin last spring.

    Barbara

    Massdam exploration cruise seems to end.

    in Holland America Line

    Posted

    I am booked on the Massdam July 2019 from Seattle to Tokyo. It is a unique cruise and even though it’s after the official end of the exploration cruise it fits it with program. It will sail from Tokyo to Sydney making baby unique stops. And there is where it ends. The new schedule came out and next is a circle Australia and many almost cookie cutter South Pacific and New Zealand Cruises before returning to Vancouver. I was hoping that it might repeat in 2020 what they are doing in 2019. But not to be. Maybe no interest.

     

    I am also fascinated by the future Maasdam In Depth itineraries. I keep digging to find the future ones. Not easy. I also found the Tokyo to Sydney parts, then 9/26/2019 New Zealand & Coral Sea Odyssey, 10/7 Australia Circumnavigation, followed by New Zealand and across the Pacific to Vancouver. Then she sails down to San Diego, followed by cruising to Baja California. That is as far as I could follow her, and I wish than my notes were better. My imagination heads south.:) :)

    I look forward to following the blogs of the adventurers on the coming In Depth cruises.

    Barbara

    Norovirus on Zaandam

    in Holland America Line

    Posted · Edited by bcummin

    Artsy Craftsy, you sound well prepared for your Voyage of the Vikings. Enjoy!

    Packing meds seem to have protected me from The Cough on our last two cruises.

     

    OlsSalt, my meds are orange juice daily onboard, Airborne if a cold tries to start, decongestant if needed, and Robitussin if needed for The Cough. So far, so good.

     

    Barbara in Port Angeles

    Norovirus on Zaandam

    in Holland America Line

    Posted · Edited by bcummin

    The only change after the outbreak was they moved the hand sanitizer out from the side of the entrance of restaurants to the center and there is a crewmember standing there directing you to use it. In the main dining room, there is no longer a bread basket on the table and no sugar packets for coffee. They have to hand it to you. You can grab all you want in the Lido though so that makes no sense! Other than that they have not changed anything. IMO!

     

    Yes, careless passengers are to blame.

    However, a good ship works hard to eliminate the virus. When we were on ms Volendam in March and April, we were on code red after Shanghai for way over a week.

    I do feel that our ship had been pro active with the hand sanitizers and cleanliness. Yes, Crew greeted us at the gangway by the hand sanitizer.

    Someone brought the virus aboard, and the Crew ended up working constantly cleaning, etc. There were lots of changes. The CD and a photographer among others dispensed hand sanitizer in the Lido. No passenger access to coffee machines, etc.in the Lido. Entertainers and others helped serve beverages . Tiny servings of Muelsi and fruit replaced the large tubs for self serve. We were individually served bread and packets of things at dinner along with our meals. We felt so sorry for our overworked Crew. Our Captain updated us daily with encouragement to comply and keep washing our hands. We were all in this together, and he was able to hand over a clean ship to the next Captain in Yokahama.

    Barbara

    HAL to Disband HAL Dancers and Singers

    in Holland America Line

    Posted · Edited by bcummin

    It is the In Depth cruises on ms Maasdam that will offer "a more destination rich content and feature more cabaret style entertainment with local performers/guest entertainers more common."

     

    I was hoping that the rest of the fleet would then continue with the more traditional entertainment that we are used to.

     

    Barbara

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